biography text
Spencer, an Irish barrister, was an active opponent of the Union, against which he wrote a pamphlet in 1798 and seconded the resolutions made by the Irish bar. His sister Charlotte was briefly the wife of the 1st Marquess of Donegall and his sister Jane married Paul Canning of Garvagh. His return to Westminster was arranged by his nephew George Canning II, like whom he supported administration in general, though he voted with the minority for the Catholic bill, 24 May 1813. His only known speech, 8 July 1814, was in commendation of the government’s Irish peace preservation bill. In March 1815 he made way for his younger brother. Spencer died in 1829.1Add. 40244, f. 56.